A fajita steak quesadilla is the perfect way to stretch a little bit of beef into a meal that's filling enough to feed the whole family! You can make them using leftovers and a few ingredients that you always keep on hand. Now that's what we call a #ShelfCookingWin.

steak quesadilla on a plate, from Shelf Cooking

There's nothing worse than having a little bit of meat and needing to feed a whole lotta people with it… Or so you thought! Wanna know a little secret? Quesadillas are the perfect way to stretch a small amount of meat into a meal for your whole family!

*Note: When you click the links in this post, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

It's true, steak (beef) can be one of the most expensive meats at the grocery store. When we use a tasty meat like this, we want to enjoy it in as many meals as possible! So we get creative! A steak quesadilla is a great way to turn it into a full meal that will feed a crew, little or big. They're quick and easy to put together, so they're perfect for those busy weeknight meals! Even the kids can help toss them together in a pinch.

Jump to Recipe

THE BEST STEAK QUESADILLA IS MADE FROM LEFTOVERS

steak quesadillas on a cutting board, from Shelf Cooking

Yep, you read that right. One of our favorite and easiest ways to make a fajita steak quesadilla is from leftovers. Specifically, the leftovers from our fajita steak rice bowls! How is it that the steak, peppers, and onions manage to taste better after they've been sitting in the fridge for a day or two?! It's some kinda magic, for sure.

Grab your leftovers, LOTS of cheese, some tortillas, and a little bit of cooking oil and you're ready to get cooking! Chances are, you've got all of those ingredients in your kitchen, which makes this the perfect shelf cooking recipe. Score!

Feel free to toss the leftover beans and rice into your quesadillas as well. (Although you don't have to if you don't have any left.) They'll really help to stretch the filling if you're running low and they'll help to fill those bellies, too! Mash the beans onto the tortilla to help to keep them from falling out. Plenty of cheese will help the rice to stay in and keep it from falling out when you're eating it. You can never have to much cheese, right??

See what we mean? The combinations are endless here since you can use whatever you've got! We've even added a few banana peppers in the past to add a little tangy flavor.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH THEM

quesadillas with a salad, from Shelf Cooking

If you have leftover rice and beans and don't feel like adding that to the quesadilla, they always make a good side. We usually pair a salad and our favorite homemade vinaigrette dressing as a nice healthy option, too.

Much like with the steak rice bowls, you really can't go wrong dipping these in sour cream and salsa. You can even serve your leftover guac with them! Want to know how to keep your guac from going brown in the fridge?

Take whatever leftover guacamole you have and put it into an airtight container. Then, pack it down with a spoon to get all of the air bubbles out. Cover with a half inch of water, put the lid on and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Pour the water off the top and stir before serving.

Yes, we know… It sounds crazy! But it's really the only way to keep air from touching the guacamole and turning it brown. The guac is dense enough that the water won't seep into it and will just sit on top, as long as you pack it down well. You're welcome for that random and super helpful #TipOfTheDay. 😉

EASY STEAK QUESADILLA RECIPE

This really is the easiest recipe, ever! If you don't have any leftovers to work with, that's okay. Head on over to this post to get tips on 5 different ways to cook your steak, along with a great recipe on making steak fajitas, bell peppers and onions. Now, on to the recipe!

steak quesadilla on a plate, from Shelf Cooking

Steak Fajita Quesadilla

This recipe is the perfect way to use up your steak fajita rice bowl leftovers! But don't worry, you can also make it from scratch and it's still just as good!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Leftover steak fajita meat and veggies, diced
  • Rice (optional)
  • Beans (optional)
  • Tortillas
  • Shredded cheese
  • Cooking oil

Instructions
 

  • Heat up your diced leftover steak and veggies in a microwave-safe dish or in a pan on the stove.
  • Heat 1 tsp cooking oil in a separate pan over medium heat.
  • Add cheese, beans, rice, fajita meat, and veggies to a tortilla. Top with additional cheese and another tortilla.
  • Cook over medium heat until the bottom tortilla is a golden-brown. Flip carefully and cook until all the cheese is melted and the other tortilla is a golden-brown.
  • Move to a plate and let sit for a couple of minutes before cutting.
  • Repeat however many times you need to! Add a little bit of cooking oil at a time if your pan starts sticking.
  • Serve with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa. Enjoy!

Notes

Did you know you can freeze quesadillas? Make them as normal, then allow to cool. Cut if you'd like, then wrap really well in foil and store in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the foil in the oven at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
Keyword family-favorite, use leftovers, versatile

If that isn't the easiest and most delicious steak quesadilla that you've ever had, then we don't know what is! Don't you love how versatile they are? It really is the perfect meal for a busy week night.

What's your favorite ingredient to load into your quesadillas? Let us know in the comments!

steak quesadillas on a counter, from Shelf Cooking

Looking for some more great shelf cooking ideas?

Happy eating!